Charlie Hebdo

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Charlie Hebdo publishes satirical cartoons

No-one catch this little gem? The mag in question has a long track record for publishing offensive satirical cartoons featuring religious and other figures and decided to give the prophet Mohammed the same treatment this week, depicting him in the buff. On the one hand they're showing no fear or favour and it's a noble stand for free speech, on the other you can't help wondering if they haven't just poked an already angry dog with a very big stick.

Clearly the magazine has poked an angry dog with a stick but I don't think that that is a reason to self-censor.

Just hope french nationals in overseas hot-spots don't get bitten.

Of course they will suffer but I don't think a magazine can be held responsible for an over-reaction. It's similar to saying a woman asked to be raped because her short skirt inflamed men.

As long as you say that certain groups of people have a "right" to act in a way that is completely out of proportion to any perceived offence, then you perpetuate the over-reaction and, imo, the feeling of grievance.

CogitoErgoSometimes said-

"Just hope french nationals in overseas hot-spots don't get bitten."

They don't need to be overseas. Nearly 5 million or about one in ten of all French are now Muslims.
The last time Charlie Hebro had a laugh at the religion of peace they got a shed load of death threats and had their offices torched.
They are either very brave or very stupid.
Take your pick.

I'm not holding anyone responsible for consequences, just pointing out that it seems ill-timed in the circumstances and possibly rather foolish. Then again, Salman Rushdie is very public at the moment talking about his days when the fatwa threat was at its height.

I agree wholeheartedly that Charlie Hebdo should be free to do this, but I still ask what are they doing it for? What point are they making? Unless there is one, it is just gratuitous abuse of a religious group. Which irritates me, however teenage and excessive some of that group's reactions are going to be.

Apparently, gratuitous abuse of religious groups is, amongst other things, this mag's stock in trade. Jesus in flagrante, Popes with their tackle out and worse... so they're not showing any favouritism at least.

the dog has bitten back and some.

i agree with you cogito. not that they deserved this but why the fuck is that sort of thing allowed?

zombie thread

New thread about today's attacks here

blimey!!

Also agree with cogito. No one deserves what has happened it's awful :( and of course they have the right to publish what they like but why do it, inflame a situation when they could have helped. What were they doing it for?
And if you do prod that very angry dog :(

I know this is a zombie thread, but it's appropriate as the attack is because of the original cartoons.

I hope the French go out and buy this magazine in their droves.

it was a fucking cartoon - so what if it was offensive...it was a fucking CARTOON

i don't agree nancy. pictures of mohhamed are considered sacred, and as such not allowed in the muslim faith (sorry not quite sure of the details). it was absolutely wrong of the magazine to publish those images. even more so due to it being a cartoon and obviously derisive.

There should be freedom of speech but that freedom does not mean freedom to offend just for the sake of it.

Respect for those people who were murdered means behaving in a manner to promote peace and understanding not goading and stoking the flames. its all so very sad.

no, it was right of the magazine. it was a satirical magazine. A pencil is not a weapon.

mohhamed is not sacred to the majority of readers of the magazine.

really?

so because the magazine is "satirical" poncy psuedo intellectual shit then it can say what it likes?

how do you know that half of the readership isn't Muslim?

it's a cartoon!

if would wear it on a sandwich board right now. 12 people have died because of a fucking cartoon.

Unfortunately history has shown that pencils can be used as weapons.
I have many Muslim friends I lived in the Middle East for a while they were hurt by the cartoons, now I say again what these terrorists have done is utterly despicable but why would you publish to simply cause pain and upset, what was to be gained.
Freedom of speech does not mean you have the freedom to offend, insult and hurt. We see that here when posts are deleted for inciting violence, racism or simply causing offence. If someone posted prejudicial insulting comments they are deleted as a certain posters have been on the other thread running in this topic.
It's just all for nothing, what a waste :(

12 people have died because of a pair (?) of lunatics. That is very very wrong.

That doesn't negate the fact that publishing that sort of thing is wrong and incites hate.

mama - you have summed up my thoughts exactly.

You know what also offends Islam? Women's rights! Look at all you women giving your opinion on things...stop poking the angry dog!!

Where does it end...Freedom of speech and freedom of the press is a central tenant of western civilisation. No religion should be able to impart it will against that.

'no, it was right of the magazine. it was a satirical magazine. A pencil is not a weapon'

Could not agree more. Very courageous and absolutely right to have printed the cartoon. We have to challenge this utter madness and the idea that religion should be any more protected than any other form of free speech.

Hurt and offence are not reasons to physically harm anyone, let alone kill them

Its just sickening

Excellent point about women's rights Thereyouare. We just cannot give in to this craziness